MUZZY: MY STORY

by Muzzy Izzet, Lee Marlow

For nearly a decade, Muzzy Izzet was a regular in Leicester City’s midfield – a key figure in a team which defied critics and made history. Two good feet. Stamina. Decent in the air. He could run, shoot, pass, dribble, read the game, track back, tackle and score goals, brilliant goals, and one – a bicycle kick at Grimsby Town in 2002 – still rated as Leicester City’s greatest-ever goal. A half-English/half-Turkish kid from London’s East End, Izzet learned his trade the hard way; in kids’ leagues, playing against youngsters two or three years older, then as a young pro at Chelsea, kicked all over the Southern Counties League. When it looked like he couldn’t get a break, he contemplated jacking in the only thing he could do – the only thing he wanted to do – to go roofing with his old man. Enter Martin O’Neill and Leicester City… Inspired by the Northern Irishman’s unique motivational methods, Muzzy flourished in a side littered with big characters who worked hard and played hard, established names like Steve Walsh and Garry Parker who helped new faces like Neil Lennon, Robbie Savage and Emile Heskey. This is more than just a football book. It’s about what happened in the changing room, in the bar, being banned from La Manga – not once, but twice – and what happened when O’Neill’s side was dismantled, the club was relegated and, later, fell into administration. Muzzy was there for it all – the good times, the bad, the bits in between. Then there was Turkey. The dressing room rite of passage that spared no blushes and the secret drama behind the World Cup semi-final… Funny, unflinching and occasionally heartbreaking, My Story lifts the lid on 1990s football and a Leicester City legend, remembered fondly by all those who saw him.

Genres: Football, Nonfiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[Mark Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Izzet’s story should be compelling. More than anyone, he epitomised the O’Neill era at Leicester City, the silk purse from the sow’s ear. Yet after only a couple of pages I found myself thinking, here we go. The book is saturated with jarring, flowery language, stock epithets above all. There are too many attempts at sociological football writing and not enough straightforward reporting of his career.

The warning signs were in the synopsis: “a chance celebration with the flag of his father also became the starting point for an eventful international career with Turkey.” Martin Samuel this is not.

If you wade through the quagmire of clichés you do find worthwhile material, particularly where it unravelled under Peter Taylor and on Izzet’s ego in relation to his international ambitions. Izzet himself comes across as intelligent and self aware. It is a shame the book was not written with the same clarity.

[Simon Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in only a couple of days, not because it's a thin, lazy, typical footballer's autobiography, but because it's seriously good. Muzzy Izzet is an interesting raconteur with a lot of stories to tell, especially about his Filbert Street days. As a Leicester City supporter, it's fascinating to hear the inside story of the Martin O'Neill-inspired successes and then where it all went wrong after Peter Taylor took over. It's very niche, however, and I wonder how many non-Foxes fans would find this book appealing. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone in the Blue Army, though.

[Martyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read for all fans

A good interesting book which was an easy read. I liked that Muzzy did not give a long detailed account of every game but focused on the characters he played with whilst giving a good overview of his life and career.

[Robert Hinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest Account

Good honest account of his career all the ups and downs seems like a genuine person who forged a great career for himself.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into Muzzy and the O'Neil era. I really enjoyed this.